The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

But we’re not done. There are still 1.35 billion people with vision loss — most of which is treatable and preventable.

Globally, it's estimated that four out of five people who are blind don't need to be. Eye conditions like cataract and diabetic retinopathy can cause sight loss and blindness even though they're treatable or preventable. An estimated 90 per cent of the world’s visually impaired people live in low-income countries. Disadvantaged and vulnerable communities are the worst affected because there's a strong link between eye health, poverty and education.

We work to eliminate avoidable blindness in the Pacific by making eye care accessible for all. In many cases a short 20 minute operation can restore sight, or a dose of antibiotics can prevent blindness. We work in partnership with local Ministries of Health to screen for signs of disease and provide the right treatment.

"I believe the basic attribute of mankind is to look after each other, and that’s what makes humans look after other humans when they are in need." - PROFESSOR FRED HOLLOWS

More about us

The Fred Hollows Foundation carries on the work of a legendary New Zealander, the late Professor Fred Hollows. Fred was an internationally acclaimed eye surgeon and social justice activist who championed the right of all people to high quality and affordable eye care. The Fred Hollows Foundation shares Fred’s vision of a world where no one is needlessly blind, and works to end avoidable blindness in 30 developing countries across Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ works in the Pacific Islands, Papua New Guinea and Timor-Leste where four out of five people who are blind don’t need to be; their condition is preventable or treatable. We restore sight to the needlessly blind and train local eye health specialists to provide eye care services in their own communities.

Latest update

Remembering Fred 25 Years On 22 January 2019

Posted by: The Fred Hollows Foundation NZ

The Fred Hollows Foundation now works in more than 25 countries and has restored sight to over two million people worldwide. This has been achieved with the overwhelming support of our donors. Like Fred, we’re deeply committed to ending avoidable blindness. Four out of five people who are blind don’t need to be, and while we’ve achieved so much, we still have a long way to go.